Friday, December 10, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
October 20th 2010
WHAAAT UP!
THIS WILL BE SHORT AND SWEET... BUT I WILL MAKE IT LOOK BIGGER AND LONGER WITH CAPITAL LETTERS. :)
Had my mom and dad here with me for the last month... Very good time. Very special people. My dad got us flung into a Tanzanian immigration jail... Ill let him explain that to you.
Our Love Mercy Football Club (LMFC) won 1st place in our league and are now playing in a tournament which will determines what league we will rise to. We may jump a division and play in the league right below the professionals here in Kenya. We will begin traveling all over the country. Some of our guys have not been far from their homes... This will be an exciting experience for them to travel.
We are going into summer soon and the weather is getting hotter. I am having fun still and don't have any complaints. Feelin a bit of racism, and some new levels of stress (warfare) what ever you wanna call it. What an adventure!!! Pray I have wisdom out here.
Thanks for your support!
Sam Alexander
THIS WILL BE SHORT AND SWEET... BUT I WILL MAKE IT LOOK BIGGER AND LONGER WITH CAPITAL LETTERS. :)
Had my mom and dad here with me for the last month... Very good time. Very special people. My dad got us flung into a Tanzanian immigration jail... Ill let him explain that to you.
Our Love Mercy Football Club (LMFC) won 1st place in our league and are now playing in a tournament which will determines what league we will rise to. We may jump a division and play in the league right below the professionals here in Kenya. We will begin traveling all over the country. Some of our guys have not been far from their homes... This will be an exciting experience for them to travel.
We are going into summer soon and the weather is getting hotter. I am having fun still and don't have any complaints. Feelin a bit of racism, and some new levels of stress (warfare) what ever you wanna call it. What an adventure!!! Pray I have wisdom out here.
Thanks for your support!
Sam Alexander
Monday, August 30, 2010
August 30th, 2010
Jambo, rafikis! Habari? (Hello, friends! How are you?)
Yea, I’m almost fluent in Swahili now… Ok that’s not true in the least. Honestly, I’m taking Swahili lessons because I have been putting off learning. I would be embarrassed to live here for a whole year and not learn the language. Besides, my soccer team has complete control to tell jokes and give me incorrect meaning for words just for a laugh. That’s enough reasons for me to motivate myself to learn. My plan is to learn, and then pretend to not know so that I can eaves drop on conversations without them knowing. Ehh huh, yea, no more m’zungu (white boy) jokes without consequences! I’m gonna drop the hammer! Plus… I guess it will be good to know a 2nd language…. I dropped out of Spanish in high school and a foreign language wasn’t a requirement for my degree.
So it’s August 30th, 2010 and all is well here in Central East Africa. Kenya voted in a new constitution this month which in the past has caused clashes and violence. We beefed up security on the compound with an additional armed guard and I didn’t feed Megan, (German Sheppard security dog) for a week in preparation of the volatile time… In the end it all blew over without a problem.
Since my Swahili is so ”stellar”, I decided to hire an evangelist to run our Bible studies with the LM soccer team. Benjamin is the man for the job and can carry on the meetings after I am gone. I can already tell a difference in how the guys are responding with Benjamin speaking to them in Swahili. We meet once a week before practice to strengthen the spirituality of the players that are interested. We had about 15 guys last week.
I will be attaching our new LMFC (Love Mercy Football Club) Newsletter to this email and it would be great to get some feedback on it. Apollo Eriks, a professional living here in Kitale asked if he could write the newsletter to aid the team. How do you say no to a request like that? It’s exciting when God gets involved and breathes on an idea because people just want to jump in and be part of it.
I’m very excited my mom and dad, Noel and Mieke Alexander will be here in early September for a few weeks. My dad travels to Kitale a few times a year to check on projects, preach etc. Ryan Shumacher, the LM director will also be returning to Kitale around the same time. September is going to be great having Ryan and my parents around. Everywhere I go out here when people find out that I’m Noel’s son they tell me that I’m their brother or sister because my dad is their father also. He has touched so many lives here they call him there spiritual father. I believe this is going to be a special time for me just to learn from my mom and dad in this unique setting.
Thank you for your ongoing support through thoughts, prayers and finances! What a great year this has been! Be blessed!
Sincerely,
Sam Alexander
Yea, I’m almost fluent in Swahili now… Ok that’s not true in the least. Honestly, I’m taking Swahili lessons because I have been putting off learning. I would be embarrassed to live here for a whole year and not learn the language. Besides, my soccer team has complete control to tell jokes and give me incorrect meaning for words just for a laugh. That’s enough reasons for me to motivate myself to learn. My plan is to learn, and then pretend to not know so that I can eaves drop on conversations without them knowing. Ehh huh, yea, no more m’zungu (white boy) jokes without consequences! I’m gonna drop the hammer! Plus… I guess it will be good to know a 2nd language…. I dropped out of Spanish in high school and a foreign language wasn’t a requirement for my degree.
So it’s August 30th, 2010 and all is well here in Central East Africa. Kenya voted in a new constitution this month which in the past has caused clashes and violence. We beefed up security on the compound with an additional armed guard and I didn’t feed Megan, (German Sheppard security dog) for a week in preparation of the volatile time… In the end it all blew over without a problem.
Since my Swahili is so ”stellar”, I decided to hire an evangelist to run our Bible studies with the LM soccer team. Benjamin is the man for the job and can carry on the meetings after I am gone. I can already tell a difference in how the guys are responding with Benjamin speaking to them in Swahili. We meet once a week before practice to strengthen the spirituality of the players that are interested. We had about 15 guys last week.
I will be attaching our new LMFC (Love Mercy Football Club) Newsletter to this email and it would be great to get some feedback on it. Apollo Eriks, a professional living here in Kitale asked if he could write the newsletter to aid the team. How do you say no to a request like that? It’s exciting when God gets involved and breathes on an idea because people just want to jump in and be part of it.
I’m very excited my mom and dad, Noel and Mieke Alexander will be here in early September for a few weeks. My dad travels to Kitale a few times a year to check on projects, preach etc. Ryan Shumacher, the LM director will also be returning to Kitale around the same time. September is going to be great having Ryan and my parents around. Everywhere I go out here when people find out that I’m Noel’s son they tell me that I’m their brother or sister because my dad is their father also. He has touched so many lives here they call him there spiritual father. I believe this is going to be a special time for me just to learn from my mom and dad in this unique setting.
Thank you for your ongoing support through thoughts, prayers and finances! What a great year this has been! Be blessed!
Sincerely,
Sam Alexander
Friday, July 23, 2010
July 23 Post
Hello! Sammy here, checkin in on you. I hear you guys in KC have lovely hot weather with indexes over 100 degrees! Welllll at least its not 20 below anymore. I on the other hand have had a strenuous couple weeks in Cape Town, South Africa.... I went down to see if I could get tickets to the World Cup, see some college friends and visit family that I havn't seen in over five years. What a good time! Cape Town is a beautiful city with mountains, the beach aaaand World Cup action. I accomplished just about everything on my list of things I wanted to do and people to see.
I emailed my cousin a few months prior to my arrival and asked if I could shack-up while I was in Cape Town. They are near my age and I kinda expected to be sleeping on the couch. We pulled up to their massive beach front house and I suddenly felt like I didn't want to go back to Kenya. It was very special to be able to spend time getting to know my family. Very incredible and gracious people and they spoiled me, to say the least. I also got to meet with some of my college soccer friends who are now living in Cape Town. I had another great friend who was studying abroad there at the same time that I was able to meet with. Nice to see a friendly face from home.
Tried to surf in a place they said had "small" waves with my cousin... Yea, they weren't small waves and the water was freezing even with a wet-suit on. My hands and feet froze instantly and then I had to go under these monster waves to get out to where the great white sharks hang out. I was tired and beat up in like thirty minutes but it was a cool experience.
I went riding dirt bikes in the mountains of Paarl which is amazing wine country with my uncle and it was quite the adventure. Maybe my uncle thought I was an experienced rider... Maybe he was upset at me for changing the day on him at the last minute... Pretty sure I was doing level 15 riding when I should have been on level 2. Some of the paths were a few feet wide with loose rocks everywhere and if any mistake was made then it was over the edge to certain death. I prayed very sincere prayers to the almighty on several occasions. It was a great day I will not forget. I was sore for three days!
The day after I arrived in Cape Town I went to the Stadium where the World Cup was being held and scalped a ticket to the game... It was Spain vs Portugal and I was 5 rows back. I was happy : ) Later in the tournament my cousin bought me a ticket to Germany and Argentina. What an experience to see Lionel Messi from Argentina (best player in the world) play live. I was in heaven watching soccer with a bunch of crazy fans from all over the world.
My cousin Keilah started a Care Center in Cape Town that I went and visited. The Care Center helps under-privileged children in the Melk Boss Strand area. They transport the kids to school, feed them, help them with homework and much more. I went to the center to check it out and ended up playing a few hours of soccer on the beach with the kids. It was fun but they had energy for days and never wanted to stop playing... Wore me out.
My trip to South Africa was outstanding and I had a hard time the thought of going back to the 3rd world conditions here in Kitale. Surprisingly when I arrived back in Kitale it felt like home. Spending time with my family was priceless and having fast-food available was an incredible luxury. The food in South Africa was soo good. I feel very blessed to have been able to make this trip see the World Cup, friends and family.
My Love Mercy boys are doing very well, still driving me out of my mind. They suddenly don't understand any english when I ask them why they are late. After the interrogation is over they suddenly remember how to speak and understand it again, its amazing. I was very encouraged that our uniforms and soccer balls were still in our teams possession when I came home... They are working hard everyday rain or shine. I see the favor of God on this team which is very encouraging. God is opening doors for us. One request I have is for soccer cleats for the boys. If you have some you would like to donate then give them to my mom (Mieke Alexander). She is coming over with my dad in September and her cell number is: 913.375.0583 Give her a hug from me when you see her.
All the best!
Sammy
I emailed my cousin a few months prior to my arrival and asked if I could shack-up while I was in Cape Town. They are near my age and I kinda expected to be sleeping on the couch. We pulled up to their massive beach front house and I suddenly felt like I didn't want to go back to Kenya. It was very special to be able to spend time getting to know my family. Very incredible and gracious people and they spoiled me, to say the least. I also got to meet with some of my college soccer friends who are now living in Cape Town. I had another great friend who was studying abroad there at the same time that I was able to meet with. Nice to see a friendly face from home.
Tried to surf in a place they said had "small" waves with my cousin... Yea, they weren't small waves and the water was freezing even with a wet-suit on. My hands and feet froze instantly and then I had to go under these monster waves to get out to where the great white sharks hang out. I was tired and beat up in like thirty minutes but it was a cool experience.
I went riding dirt bikes in the mountains of Paarl which is amazing wine country with my uncle and it was quite the adventure. Maybe my uncle thought I was an experienced rider... Maybe he was upset at me for changing the day on him at the last minute... Pretty sure I was doing level 15 riding when I should have been on level 2. Some of the paths were a few feet wide with loose rocks everywhere and if any mistake was made then it was over the edge to certain death. I prayed very sincere prayers to the almighty on several occasions. It was a great day I will not forget. I was sore for three days!
The day after I arrived in Cape Town I went to the Stadium where the World Cup was being held and scalped a ticket to the game... It was Spain vs Portugal and I was 5 rows back. I was happy : ) Later in the tournament my cousin bought me a ticket to Germany and Argentina. What an experience to see Lionel Messi from Argentina (best player in the world) play live. I was in heaven watching soccer with a bunch of crazy fans from all over the world.
My cousin Keilah started a Care Center in Cape Town that I went and visited. The Care Center helps under-privileged children in the Melk Boss Strand area. They transport the kids to school, feed them, help them with homework and much more. I went to the center to check it out and ended up playing a few hours of soccer on the beach with the kids. It was fun but they had energy for days and never wanted to stop playing... Wore me out.
My trip to South Africa was outstanding and I had a hard time the thought of going back to the 3rd world conditions here in Kitale. Surprisingly when I arrived back in Kitale it felt like home. Spending time with my family was priceless and having fast-food available was an incredible luxury. The food in South Africa was soo good. I feel very blessed to have been able to make this trip see the World Cup, friends and family.
My Love Mercy boys are doing very well, still driving me out of my mind. They suddenly don't understand any english when I ask them why they are late. After the interrogation is over they suddenly remember how to speak and understand it again, its amazing. I was very encouraged that our uniforms and soccer balls were still in our teams possession when I came home... They are working hard everyday rain or shine. I see the favor of God on this team which is very encouraging. God is opening doors for us. One request I have is for soccer cleats for the boys. If you have some you would like to donate then give them to my mom (Mieke Alexander). She is coming over with my dad in September and her cell number is: 913.375.0583 Give her a hug from me when you see her.
All the best!
Sammy
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
June 16th Update
What's up guys how is everyone? Life is good and the weather is sunny... except at about 4pm every day we get a good african shower for about 45 minutes and then its sunny again. I practice with the Love Mercy soccer team at 4:30pm everyday & it feels like 95% of the time we are playing in the rain or in the mud. It's the rainy season which is equivalent to winter here. Somedays I think I slide more than I run. Apparently its a better workout? All I know is that i'm good and tired of getting muddy EVERYDAY.
There are about 30-60 guys who come out to practice on the shotty little field we play at everyday. The field condition is a nightmare, its a miracle there are as few injuries as there are. The boys range in age from about 15 to late 20's. They are all very good athletes but most find it very tough to afford shoes to play in. The soccer shoes all show evidence of being to the cobbler more time than once if they have them. I have guys who show up every day that don't even own soccer cleats to play in. Its humbling... I am sponsoring two teams at the moment. I play, coach, and sponsor one team and then financially support the other.
I'm slowly learning what it means to live on Kenyan time... This means if they say show up 10am set your snooze becuase nothing is going down until after 12pm. This is very irritating until you understand how to live by it. I have not learned yet. I just purchased some new uniforms for the guys that will be debuted within the next week. I have been trying to instill things like time-mangement with the players and it feels next to impossible. Discipline is not in their vocabulary and they have no idea why the crazy white guy gets so irate when they show up an hour late for practice. They laugh at me while im ready to pull my hair out. Now I know how my teachers felt. I think caning(beating with stick) should definitely be allowed in education.... I believe that by helping these guys on the soccer field I will be able to help them be successful off the field. As I develop relationships with the guys I will also be able to speak into there lives on a spiritual level that will show lasting impact. One of the leaders on the field has lived on the street for over 10 years. You can imagine the kinds of habits, mindsets and fears that are developed in an individual... In spite of enormous obstacles I am amazed by the courage and faithfullness (on-time or not) that these young men show.
We are currently 3-1 (won three games and lost one game) in league play and we should not lose another game this season. Our team is solid, and if they start listening we will not lose another game.
I'm glad the weather has finally gotten better in KC for you all. I think I could have slipped into a mild depression if I would have had to cope with the entire winter like you all did.
I have a serious prayer request..... please pray for the USA as they battle in the Worlds biggest and best tournament known to man, the WORLD CUP :) Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and financial help. Be blessed, SA.
There are about 30-60 guys who come out to practice on the shotty little field we play at everyday. The field condition is a nightmare, its a miracle there are as few injuries as there are. The boys range in age from about 15 to late 20's. They are all very good athletes but most find it very tough to afford shoes to play in. The soccer shoes all show evidence of being to the cobbler more time than once if they have them. I have guys who show up every day that don't even own soccer cleats to play in. Its humbling... I am sponsoring two teams at the moment. I play, coach, and sponsor one team and then financially support the other.
I'm slowly learning what it means to live on Kenyan time... This means if they say show up 10am set your snooze becuase nothing is going down until after 12pm. This is very irritating until you understand how to live by it. I have not learned yet. I just purchased some new uniforms for the guys that will be debuted within the next week. I have been trying to instill things like time-mangement with the players and it feels next to impossible. Discipline is not in their vocabulary and they have no idea why the crazy white guy gets so irate when they show up an hour late for practice. They laugh at me while im ready to pull my hair out. Now I know how my teachers felt. I think caning(beating with stick) should definitely be allowed in education.... I believe that by helping these guys on the soccer field I will be able to help them be successful off the field. As I develop relationships with the guys I will also be able to speak into there lives on a spiritual level that will show lasting impact. One of the leaders on the field has lived on the street for over 10 years. You can imagine the kinds of habits, mindsets and fears that are developed in an individual... In spite of enormous obstacles I am amazed by the courage and faithfullness (on-time or not) that these young men show.
We are currently 3-1 (won three games and lost one game) in league play and we should not lose another game this season. Our team is solid, and if they start listening we will not lose another game.
I'm glad the weather has finally gotten better in KC for you all. I think I could have slipped into a mild depression if I would have had to cope with the entire winter like you all did.
I have a serious prayer request..... please pray for the USA as they battle in the Worlds biggest and best tournament known to man, the WORLD CUP :) Thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and financial help. Be blessed, SA.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
Update
Friends,
Two months have flown by and i'm convinced that my year stay here in Kenya will do the same. I am on a journey here on so many different levels. I am enjoying waiting on God and declaring unprecedented favor of the Lord in my life. I am in a great season, and i'm enjoying it immensely.
I have so many needs all around me here in Africa it's overwhelming at times. I'm figuring out that there is not much that I can do to help the people here on my own. Money alone does little to scrape the surface of the needs in these corrupt and broken down infrastructures. I feel like I could stay busy 24 hours a day and make no measurable impact! That being said i've decided to rely on God to make the impacts and just partner with Him. I think this is a more intelligent way of approaching my work :). I felt like God told me that He doesn't need me to accomplish anything... But it makes him happy to let me partner with him. I can get more done waiting on the Lord and bringing my task to Him than running around like a mad-man all day. I'm a son and I choose the easy yolk, I enjoy consulting with the architect of the universe before starting my day.
Just updating you on what i'm seeing and hearing. I spoke at a few meeting here in Kitale and enjoyed it. I have not publicly spoken in years. I kept asking the translator to ask the people if they understood what I was saying... They said "Yes" but i wasn't sure :). I spoke on the favor of God and it seems like I can bring every situation back to that topic. I kinda feel like i'm a Joel Osteen disciple.... I got a revelation and I find it easy to become inspired about the way God desires to bless His children. The Bible is filled with promises. I want them.
I am spending the majority of my time working with Majitech and Love Mercy. Majitech, drills water wells transforming communities with life-giving clean water and Love Mercy focuses on supporting children's homes, organic farming, and sustainable community development. I am seeing the work my dad (Noel Alexander) has pioneered here in Africa for the past 12 years. I am learning a lot, broadening my horizons and with the help of God seeing lives impacted. Next week I plan to travel to Uganda for The Call where Lou Engle will be leading. That should be an experience out here. I trust this email finds you all well! If you have any questions on what i'm doing or just general questions feel free to fire away.
Lots of favor, be blessed everyone. Thank you for your financial support, thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Sammy Alexander
www.lovemercy.com
Two months have flown by and i'm convinced that my year stay here in Kenya will do the same. I am on a journey here on so many different levels. I am enjoying waiting on God and declaring unprecedented favor of the Lord in my life. I am in a great season, and i'm enjoying it immensely.
I have so many needs all around me here in Africa it's overwhelming at times. I'm figuring out that there is not much that I can do to help the people here on my own. Money alone does little to scrape the surface of the needs in these corrupt and broken down infrastructures. I feel like I could stay busy 24 hours a day and make no measurable impact! That being said i've decided to rely on God to make the impacts and just partner with Him. I think this is a more intelligent way of approaching my work :). I felt like God told me that He doesn't need me to accomplish anything... But it makes him happy to let me partner with him. I can get more done waiting on the Lord and bringing my task to Him than running around like a mad-man all day. I'm a son and I choose the easy yolk, I enjoy consulting with the architect of the universe before starting my day.
Just updating you on what i'm seeing and hearing. I spoke at a few meeting here in Kitale and enjoyed it. I have not publicly spoken in years. I kept asking the translator to ask the people if they understood what I was saying... They said "Yes" but i wasn't sure :). I spoke on the favor of God and it seems like I can bring every situation back to that topic. I kinda feel like i'm a Joel Osteen disciple.... I got a revelation and I find it easy to become inspired about the way God desires to bless His children. The Bible is filled with promises. I want them.
I am spending the majority of my time working with Majitech and Love Mercy. Majitech, drills water wells transforming communities with life-giving clean water and Love Mercy focuses on supporting children's homes, organic farming, and sustainable community development. I am seeing the work my dad (Noel Alexander) has pioneered here in Africa for the past 12 years. I am learning a lot, broadening my horizons and with the help of God seeing lives impacted. Next week I plan to travel to Uganda for The Call where Lou Engle will be leading. That should be an experience out here. I trust this email finds you all well! If you have any questions on what i'm doing or just general questions feel free to fire away.
Lots of favor, be blessed everyone. Thank you for your financial support, thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Sammy Alexander
www.lovemercy.com
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
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